"There was a man, BJP's projected Prime Ministerial candidate, who was in Mumbai a few days back. When he talked about using the Indian cinema or the film industry to brand India, I was struck by this thought that way back in in 1936, another gentleman wanted to use Berlin Olympics for a similar branding.

"That mark of Swastika still haunts a lot of people around the World," Tewari said on the sidelines of a function here.

BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi hit back at Tewari and said that "so far as the history of India is concerned, the only dictator this country has seen happens to be Indira Gandhi who is also part of the history of Congress party."

Modi had in a speech last month urged top advertising gurus, brand strategists and managers to take "Brand India" to the world. Modi had made the remarks as the guest-speaker at a function organised by International Advertising Association.